Method and apparatus for harnessing the power of moving water

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus of harnessing the power of water in a moving body of water, e.g., a river or stream, wherein such waters are utilized to successively fill containers to effect a displacement thereof and which displacement is translated into rotational mechanical energy for producing useful work.

PROBLEM AND PRIOR ART

Numerous methods and devices have been conceived in an effort to harnessthe energy of moving water; e.g., a device for harnessing the verticalmovement of ocean tides, or for utilizing the motion of waves or swellsto produce rotation of a shaft. However, where a body of water does notpossess a wave phenomonon or rising tides, e.g., a river or stream, theknown water motors are rendered inoperative for use with such bodies ofwater.

OBJECTS

It is an object of this invention to provide a method and apparatus forutilizing the water power inherent in a river or stream to provideuseful work.

Another object is to provide a method and apparatus for utilizing thepotential energy in a body of water to produce useful work.

Another object is to provide a method and apparatus for extracting theenergy inherent in a body of water without upsetting the environmentalbalance.

Another object is to provide a method and apparatus for translating therise and fall of predetermined amounts of water into useful work.

Another object is to provide a method and apparatus wherein a pluralityof power stations embodying the present invention can be operatedsimultaneously along the shore of a common body of water withoutadversely affecting one another.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The foregoing objects and other features and advantages of thisinvention is attained by the method of utilizing power of flowing water,e.g., a river or stream by including a submerged conduit in the body ofwater and connecting a stand pipe to the discharge end of the conduit toraise the water therein to an elevation below that of the inlet to theinclined conduit, and thereafter distributing the water in apredetermined sequential manner to a series of containerscounterbalanced on a drive shaft whereby the alternate rising andfalling of the containers as they are filled and emptied of the watereffects the rotation of the drive shaft to produce useful work.

A system or apparatus for harnessing the power of moving water inaccordance with the described method comprises a pair of spaced apartshafts having one or more rotary elements such as a sprocket journalledthereon. Operatively associated with such sprocket is a unidirectionalclutch arranged so that the sprocket effects the drive of the shaft inone direction only. Threaded about the sprockets is a flexible drive towhich one or more containers are connected. The arrangement is such thatthe containers rise and fall as they are sequentially filled with waterand emptied in a predetermined manner.

Operatively associated with the apparatus is a means for sequentiallycharging and discharging the containers with water to effect the riseand fall thereof. This is attained by disposing an inclined conduit in abody of water so that the outlet end is disposed at an elevation belowthat of the inlet end. A stand pipe is connected to the outlet end ofthe conduit to raise the water to an elevation below that of the inlet.Connected to the outlet end of the stand pipe is a distributing manifoldpipe having one or more nozzles for discharging the water into one ofthe containers. A valve means controls the discharge of the water fromthe respective nozzles when the container is at its suppermostelevation.

In one form of the invention, counterbalancing containers are connectedto the flexible drive, and a coordinating means is provided to controlthe charging and discharging of the containers in a timed sequence sothat the alternate rising and falling of the containers will effect thedrive of the drive shaft, the rotation of which is translated intouseful work.

Operatively associated with the system is a control for regulating thespeed at which the system can function. The speed controller in thisembodiment comprises a positive displacement piston pump actuated by therotation of the drive shaft and which pump is in circuit with a sourceof circulating fluid. A regulating valve is interposed in the circuit tocontrol the speed of the pump and in turn the speed of the drive shaft.

In another form of the invention the containers are connected at spacedintervals along an endless flexible drive. In this form, a container hasa flexible ribbon which is adjustably positioned and which isoperatively associated with actuating means for controlling the openingand closing of the valve to regulate the amount of water with which thecontainer is charged. The arrangement if such that the speed of theapparatus will vary according to demand, e.g., when the apparatus isutilized to run a generator.

FEATURES

A feature of this invention resides in the provision of a method andapparatus wherein the rising and falling of water containers,sequentially charged and discharged with water, is translated intouseful work.

Another feature resides in the provision of submering an inclinedconduit in a body of water whereby the water flowing through the conduitis raised above the outlet of the conduit a distance less than the inletthereto and is dispensed therefrom in a controlled manner for chargingthe container with a predetermined amount of water.

Another feature resides in the provision of a co-ordinator operativelyassociated with a pair of counterbalanced containers wherein onecontainer is being charged with a predetermined amount of water as theother is being discharged.

Another feature resides in a controller for controlling the speed inwhich the apparatus operates.

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent whenconsidered in view of the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragementary diagrammatic side elevation view of anapparatus embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is an end view of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a section view of a container utilized in the apparatus ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic plan view of the actuating and operating meansfor controlling the charging and dischargine of the respectivecontainers illustrating the actuating charging means in the operativeposition.

FIG. 5 is a view similar to that of FIG. 4, but illustrating theoperating discharging means in the operative position.

FIG. 6 illustrates a detail showing of the coordinating means in theoperative water charging position.

FIG. 7 is a view similar to that of FIG. 6 but showing the coordinatingmeans in the operative discharging position.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating the water valve assembly.

FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic showing of a control means for controlling thespeed of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is a modified embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11 is a detailed illustration of a container utilized in theembodiment of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a side view of the containers of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a detail of construction.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is directed to a method of utilizing the storedenergy in a body of water, e.g., a stream, river and the like forproducing useful work. The manner in which this stored energy can betranslated into mechanical energy for producing useful work is tosubmerge a pipe or conduit 20 in a river or stream 21 or the likewhereby the inlet end 20A of the pipe or conduit 20 is disposed into theflow of the current and at an elevation higher than that of the outletend 20B thereof. It will be understood that the conduit 20 may be of anyconvenient length which is dependant upon the difference in heightbetween the inlet 20A and outlet 20B which is desired. The water thenflowing into conduit 20 is raised to an elevation which is less thanthat of the inlet 20A by a section of an upright standpipe 22. The waterrising in the standpipe is directed to a distributing manifold 23.Spaced along the length of the distributing manifold 23 are a series ofnozzles 24, each being controlled by a valve 25 (FIG. 8) as will behereinafter described. The water flowing through the manifold 23 issequentially distributed to counterbalanced containers whereby thecontainers are sequentially filled in a manner whereby the filled orweighted containers will fall, and in doing so will cause an emptycontainer to rise to a position wherein it will be filled as the otheror weighted container is being discharged of its contents. Thus bytiming the charging and discharging of the counterbalanced containers, adrive is imparted to a drive shaft in a manner such that the drive shaftis rotated in a unitary direction. The rotation of the drive shaft isthereafter translated into useful work, e.g., for turning an electricgenerator to produce electrical current or for any other type of usefulwork; e.g., mechanical energy.

FIGS. 1 to 9 illustrate one system or apparatus 26 for performing thedescribed method. In this embodiment, there is disposed dowstreamwise ofthe river or stream 21 an apparatus of the illustrated embodiment 26.This apparatus 26 comprises a pair of laterally spaced apart driveshafts 27 and 28 which are suitably journalled in appropriate bearingsupports (not shown). Spaced along the drive shaft 27 are one or morerotary means which may comprise a sprocket or pulley 27A. In theillustrated embodiment fourteen such rotary means are shown; however,the number may vary in accordance with design variations and/orconsiderations. Mounted on shaft 28 are a comparable number ofcomplementary rotary means 28A, similar to rotary means 27A.

Operatively associated with each of the sprockets or pulleys 27A and 28Ais an unidirectional clutch means 27B and 28B respectively. As best seenin FIG. 2, the clutch means 27B is operatively associated with itssprocket 27A so that when the sprocket 27A is rotated in a clockwisedirection, the drive shaft 27 is also engaged in driving relationshipthrough the engagement of the clutch means to impart a drive to thedrive shaft in a clockwise direction (FIG. 2). When the sprocket 27A isrotated in a counterclockwise direction, the clutch means is disengagedfrom driving relationship relative to the shaft so that sprocket 27A isable to free wheel relative to shaft 27. In the illustrated embodiment,the unidirectional clutch means 27B is illustrated as a ratchet and pawltype whereby rotation of the sprocket in its clockwise direction causesthe pawl 29 to engage a tooth of the ratchet 30 to lock the shaft indriving relationship. Rotation of the sprocket 27A in the oppositedirection will cause the pawl to slip over the ratchet teeth to permitthe sprocket to free wheel relative to the shaft 27.

The clutch means 28B associated with the complementary sprockets 28A aresimilarly constructed, but operate in a reverse manner. That is theclutch means 28B are rendered unidirectional to effect the drive ofdrive shaft 28 in a counterclockwise direction when the associatedsprocket 28A is rotated in a counterclockwise direction, and whereby thesprocket 28A is in free wheeling relationship with the associated driveshaft 28 when sprocket 28A rotates in a clockwise direction. While aratchet 30 and pawl 29 type of unidirectional clutch means isillustrated and described, it will be understood that various othertypes of unidirectional clutch mechanisms may be utilized in lieuthereof.

Threaded over the complimentary pairs of rotary means or sprockets 27Aand 28A is a flexible drive means in the form of a chain or cable 31.Connected to each end of the chain or cable 31 is a container 32 and 33,which of similar size and construction.

As best seen in FIG. 3, each container 31 and 32 comprises an open topvessel 34 sized to contain a predetermined amount of water. Formed inthe bottom wall 35 of the vessel is a discharge opening 36 which isarranged to be closed by a stopper or closure 37. The closure 37includes a shank 37A which is connected to a solenoid 38 which whenenergized will cause the closure 37 to be moved to a raised position toopen the discharge opening 36. When the solenoid 38 is deenergized, thestopper or closure will fall to its seated position to seal the opening36 as shown in the solid line showing of FIG. 3.

Operatively associated with the respective containers 31 and 32 is acoordinating means to control the filling and discharging of therespective containers 31 and 32 as will be hereinafter described. Thecoordinating means includes a bifurcated coordinator 39 which isconnected to a float 40. The float 40 is confined in a chamber 44 whichis an adjunct of the vessel 34; and the chamber 44 is opened to the mainbody of the vessel. The float 40 is provided with a pin 40A which isarranged to ride in a helical slot 40B formed on the internal wall ofthe chamber 44 so that when the float rises as the water fills chamber44, the float will rotate within the chamber 44 to rotate the bifurcatedcoordinator 39 approximately 90°. As will be hereinafter described, thecoordinator 39 functions to sequence the charging of one container,e.g., container 32 as the other complementary container is dischargingits contents in a predetermined manner.

Operatively associated with the coordinator 39 is an actuating means 41for controlling the opening and closing of valve 25, and an operatingmeans 42 for controlling the opening and closing of the dischargeopening 36 in the container. It will be understood that an actuatingmeans 41 and an operating means is required for each container 31 and32.

As best seen in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, and 8 the actuating means 41 includesa light beam source 41A and an oppositely disposed photo cell 41B. Thephoto cell 41B is connected in an electric circuit to a relay R which inturn is connected in circuit with a solenoid 43 for operating valve 25.The arrangement is such that when the light beam from the light source41A is interrupted, the relay R is energized and actuates the solenoidto move the valve 25 to an open position. Accordingly, when valve 25 isopened, water from the nozzle 24 controlled thereby is permitted to flowinto the associated container.

The light source 41A and photo cell 41B are disposed so that when thecontainer associated therewith reaches its uppermost limit, thecoordinator 39 is disposed so that the light beam from source 41A iscut-off from its photo cell 41B as seen in FIG. 4; permitting the watervalve 25 to open as hereinbefore described.

Associated therewith is an operating means 42 for effecting the openingand closing of the discharge opening of the other or complementarycontainer. Referring to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the operating means 42includes a second light source 42A and an associated photo cell 42B.Photo cell 42B is connected in circuit with a relay R₂ which in turn isin circuit with the solenoid 38 of the complementary container. As seenin FIG. 3, when the vessel 31 is filled, the coordinator 39 in itsraised position will rotate 90° to interrupt the light beam from theoperating light source 42A to activate the relay R₂ to energize solenoid38 to open the discharge opening of the lowered container. In doing so,the light beam from the actuating light source 41B is permitted to focuson the photo cell 41B causing the water valve to close. Thus as theweight the water has been discharged from the lowermost container, theweight of the filled container will over balance the empty containercausing the filled container to fall and the empty one to rise. In doingso the falling container effects the drive of its associated driveshaft, e.g., shaft 27 in FIG. 2. Thus the alternate rising and fallingof the containers will effect the drive of its appropriate drive shaft.Because the respective sprockets are connected by means of anunidirectional clutch means to its respective shaft, it will be notedthat the respective shafts are driven only when the associated weightedor filled container is falling.

To insure uniform continuous drive of the respective shafts 27 and 28 aplurality of sprockets and associated chain drives are disposed thereon.Referring to FIG. 1, the arrangement is such that the plurality ofcontainers which are driving one shaft are filling and falling in acascading fashion; i.e., the filled containers are timed so that theyare at different stages of fall. Thus, as shown there results an evenand continual transmission of power to the respective shafts 27 and 28.For example if there are fourteen containers suspended from chains onshaft 27 going clockwise, and fourteen containers suspended from chainson shaft 28 going counterclockwise, there would result seven fullcontainers descending from the shaft 27 going clockwise and an equalnumber of filled containers would be descending from the shaft turningcounterclockwise. Seven empty containers suspended from each shaft wouldbe rising simultaneously and proportionally to the containers suspendedon the other end of the chain. In operation, each container would besequenced to starts its decent after a lapse of a predeterminedinterval, e.g., 30 seconds, alternating from side to side to result in acascading effect as seen in FIG. 1; of seven full containers on eachside going down while there will be an escalating effect on both sidesof seven empty containers rising. The end result is an even, uniformtransmission of power.

To further insure that the respective shafts turn at the same rate ofspeed, a pair of intermeshing gears 45 and 46 or suitable gear train maybe journalled to shafts 27 and 28 respectively.

A control means 47 may be also provided to control the speed of theapparatus 26. As shown in FIG. 9, the control means 47 includes adriving sprocket 48 journalled on one drive shaft, e.g, shaft 27. Thedriving sprocket 48 in turn is connected in driving relationship to acrank shaft wheel 49 through an endless flexible drive 50. The crankshaft wheel 49 is connected by a connecting rod 51 to the piston 52 of apiston and cylinder assembly 53.

As shown the cylinder 53A of the assembly 53 is connected incommunication with a reservoir 54 containing a supply of a suitableliquid, e.g., water or oil by means of a conduit 55. A one way checkvalve 56 is interposed in conduit 55 to insure that liquid will flowfrom the reservoir to the cylinder 53A only; as indicated by arrows A.An outlet conduit 57 connects the cylinder in communication with thereservoir 54, and a check valve 58 is disposed in conduit 58 in insureliquid flow in the direction of arrow B only.

A regulating valve 59 is disposed on conduit 57 between the check valve58 and the reservoir. The regulating valve 49 is adjustable so that theback pressure operating on the piston head 52 A may be controlled, andthereby regulate the speed of the apparatus or system 26.

In operation, it will be noted that the rotation or drive of shaft 27will effect the drive of the piston 52 through the interaction of thecrank shaft wheel 49 and connecting rod 51. Thus by opening or closingof the regulating valve 59, the resistance or backpressure imposed onthe piston head as it reciprocates in cylinder 53A will result incontrolling the speed of shaft 27 and its complementary shaft 28.

The described apparatus operates as follows. By inclining a conduit 20in a body of water and locating a manifold conduit 23 at an elevationbelow the inlet 20A of conduit 20, water can be raised to the levelindicated. By controlling the opening and closing of the water valves25, the respective containers can be sequentially filled so that theweight of the full container will overbalance the complementary emptycontainers causing the former to fall and the latter to rise. In doingso the falling container will effect the drive of its associated shaftthrough the interaction of the unidirectional clutch. By sequencing aplurality of rotary means or sprockets along the respective shafts, acontinuous and uniform drive is achieved.

The valve operating means 41 and the container discharge closure means42 for the respective complementary containers are sequentially actuatedso that the discharge opening of the filled container is opened as theempty complementary container is being filled. By alternating thesequence the continually rise and fall of the containers is utilized todrive the respective drive shafts 27 and 28.

It will be understood that the respective drive shafts 27 or 28 may bedirectly connected to a generator for generating electricity or throughappropriate mechanical connection and/or linkages effecting thetranslation of rotary energy into useful work.

It will be understood that the height through which the respectivecontainers travel can vary as well as the size and capacity of thecontainers. Thus the amount of power which can be achieved can varybetween very wide ranges. Where terrain permits drops of several hundredfeet is possible.

The construction described can effectively operate as a power plantadjancent a flowing stream. The arrangement will facilitate locating anumber of such units along a river or stream since the water can bereturned to the stream or river without any loss thereof. Thustremendous energy can be produced without effecting any pollution orchange in the surrounding environment. Also the arrangement will have noadverse effect on the marine life or navigable waterways.

FIG. 10 illustrates another embodiment of the invention. In this formthe apparatus or system 60 comprises a pair of vertically spaced apartdrive shafts 61 and 62. One or more rotary means are journalled onto therespective shafts 61, 62. As shown, the rotary means comprises asprocket or pulley 63, 64 journalling to shafts 61, 62 respectively. Ashereinbefore described the rotary means are operatively associated withan unidirectional clutch means 63A, 64A respectively so that the driveof the respective shafts occur when the rotary means 63, 64 is rotatedin one direction only; e.g., a clockwise direction as shown in FIG. 10.The clutch means is similar to that hereinbefore described with respectto FIGS. 1 and 2.

An endless flexible drive, e.g., a driving chain 65 is threaded overcomplementary rotary means 63, 64. Connected to the flexible drive 65 isspaced relationship are a series of similar containers 66.

In the illustrated embodiment, the containers 66 comprise open topvessels which are arranged to rotated about the rotary means 63 and 64in a clockwise direction. The movement of the containers 66 is effectedby successively causing each container to be filled with a liquid, e.g.,water, the weight of which will cause the containers to travel along thepath defined by the endless drive chain 65.

In the illustrated embodiment, a filling nozzle 67 is disposed adjacentthe uppermost container 66A as it turns over the upper rotary means 63.It will be understood that the nozzle 67 is in communication with asupply of liquid, e.g., water. For purposes of description, the nozzle67 is supplied with water by a system similar to that described inrespect to FIG. 1. A suitable valve 68 is disposed in nozzle 67 tocontrol the flow of water therethrough. The arrangement as will behereinafter described is such that the nozzle valve 68 is opened onlywhen the uppermost container 66A is in proper position for receiving thewater for weighing the container 66A.

Referring to FIGS. 11 to 13, each container 66 comrpises a vessel of anysuitable shape having a front wall portion 66B. Secured or formed in thefront wall portion 66B on the exterior surface is a slideway or guide73.

Connected to each container 66 is a means for activating the valve 68when the uppermost container 66A has been properly positioned forreceiving water. The latter means comprises a flexible ribbon or band 69which is arranged to be coiled about a spool 70 carried on a suitablebracket 71 connected to the container 66. The free end of the ribbon 69is connected to a slider 72 which is slideably disposed in slideway orguide 73. A lock or set screw 74 extends through the slider 72 toprovide a means whereby the slider can be secured in any adjustedposition of the ribbon 69. It will thus be apparant that the length ofthe ribbon along the front of the container can be adjusted.

Disposed adjacent the uppermost container and in the path of travelthereof is a remote controll means for operating the nozzle valve 68. Inthe illustrated embodiment this control means includes a light beamsource 75 and an oppositely disposed photo cell 76. As hereinbeforedescribed, the photo cell is connected in circuit to a relay 77 which inturn is connected to a solenoid 78 which operates the valve 68 betweenopen and closed position (See FIG. 10).

In operation when the ribbon 69 interrupts the light beam from source75, as seen in FIG. 11, the photo cell energizes the relay 77 which inturn triggers the solenoid 78 to open the valve 68 permitting the waterto flow into the container 66A. When the upper end of the ribbon 69 ofthe weighted container 66A has moved below the light beam, the relay isdeactivated resulting in the solenoid moving the valve to its closedposition. The arrangement is such that the valve 68 is opened each timethat the uppermost vessel 66A is properly positioned as it rounds theupper rotary means 63.

As seen in FIG. 12 each vessel or container 66 is provided with anoverflow pipe 80 which opens to the bottom 66C of the container.Therefore in the event of an overfill, the excess water will enter theoverflow pipe 80 and be discharged into the next subjacent vessel orcontainer.

In operation it will be noted that as each vessel 66 is filled that theweight of the descending vessel will create a clockwise rotation of theflexible drive 65; and through the interaction of the rotary means orsprockets 63, 64 effect the drive of shafts 61 and 62 accordingly.

As hereinbefore described the drive shafts 61 and 62 may be connected todrive a generator for producing electrical power or otherwise connectedto suitable linkages and or drive for translating the rotary motion ofthe drive shafts into useful mechanical energy.

As the filled containers 66 rotate about the lower rotary means 64, thecontainers are successively inverted and emptied of their contents.

In operation, the adjusted ribbon 69 will activate the solenoid 78 bybreaking the light beam for a predetermined period of time. In doing soit deactivates the photo cell 76 causing the relay 77 to send a signalto the solenoid 78 which will remain activated for whatever period oftime the light beam from souce 75 remains interrupted by ribbon 69. Theribbon 69 by being adjustable can control the flow of water so that eachcontainer is assured of receiving a predetermined amount of waterdepending upon the demand for power and the speed of the apparatus;which may vary from time to time. For example, if the drive shaft 61 isdirectly connected to the drive of a generator, as the generator speedsup, as when the demand for current drops, the drive shaft 61 will speedup also, which will result in the containers moving at a faster rate ofspeed. This will result in the ribbon 69 carried on the containers 66Ato pass through the light beam at a greater rate of speed resulting inthe solenoid being activated for a shorter period of time. This resultsin charging a lesser amount of water into the container to effect abalancing out of the apparatus in accordance with demand for power.Conversely, if the demand for power increased, the apparatus will tendto slow down under the drag, e.g., caused by a generator. The ribbon 69which has been adjusted for average speed will under increase demand bemoving through the light beam at a much slower speed, thereby causingthe water valve 58 to remain open for a longer period of time; therebypermitting more water to flow into the container. The increased weightof water will thereby cause the speed of the apparatus to catch up orbalance out to the increase in demand. It will be understood that thecontainers will be proportioned to accommodate the amount of waterrequired between a range of minimum and maximum demands.

Any excess of water will run out through the overflow pipe 80 todischarge or empty into the next subjacent container. Thus the purposeof the overflow pipe 80 is to pass any excessive water from an uppercontainer to a lower container and so on for developing maximum deadweight in a shortest span of time as the apparatus continues to operate.Thus the flow of water will proportionally slow up as the apparatusspeed picks up until a balancing out is achieved.

For the foregoing, it will be noted that the energy of drain off a bodyof water can be readily translated by the described method and apparatusinto useful work in a relatively simple and expedient manner; andwithout the need of materially altering the environment or the flow ofsuch waters.

While the invention has been described with respect to severalembodiments, it will be appreciated and understood that variations andmodifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope ofthe invention.

What is claim is:
 1. A system for the harnessing the power of movingliquid for producing useful work comprising:a pair of spaced apart driveshafts, a plurality of rotary means journalled on each of said driveshafts at spaced apart intervals to effect the drive thereof whereby therotary means on one of said drive shafts has an opposite complementaryrotary means on the other shaft, a unidirectional clutch meansoperatively connecting each such rotary means to its respective driveshaft whereby one drive shaft is rotated in one direction and the otherdrive shaft is driven in opposite direction as said rotary means isactuated, a flexible drive threaded over the respective complementarypairs of oppositely disposed rotary means, said flexible drive havingopposed end portions, a container connected to each portion of therespective flexible drives, and means for alternately charging anddischarging said containers disposed on opposite ends of said flexibledrive with liquid in a predetermined sequence to effect the cascading ofsaid containers in predetermined timed relationship over the respectivedrive shafts so that said cascading containers effect a continuous,uniform drive of the respective drive shafts.
 2. The invention asdefined in claim 1 and including means for controlling the speed of saidsystem.
 3. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said means forsequentially charging and discharging each of said containerscomprises:a nozzle operatively associated with each of said containers,said nozzle being connected to a source of water supply, a valve forcontrolling the flow of water through said nozzle, said containers eachhaving a discharge opening and a closure means for sealing saiddischarge opening closed, an actuating means operatively associated witheach container for opening said valve when the container is in itsuppermost limit, and operating means operatively associated with saidclosure means to effect the opening of said discharge opening when thecontainer reaches its lower limit of travel, and means coordinating theoperation of said activating means and operating means to effect theopening of said valve to fill one container with water as the dischargeopening for the other complementary container is opened to empty it ofwater.
 4. The invention as defined in claim 3 wherein said lastmentioned means includes a submerged conduit angled downwardly in a bodyof water, said conduit having an inlet and a lower end portion,a standpipe connected to a lower end portion of said submerged conduit, saidstand pipe having an outlet disposed at a elevation below that of theinlet to said conduit, a distributing manifold connected to the outletof said stand pipe, and said nozzles being connected to said manifold atspaced intervals therealong.
 5. A system for harnessing the power ofmoving liquid for producing useful work comprising:a pair of spacedapart shifts, a rotary means journalled to each of said shafts to effectthe drive thereof, a flexible drive threaded about said rotary means, aplurality of containers connected to said flexible drive, means forsequentially charging and discharging said containers with a liquidwhereby the weight of said liquid is utilized to effect the lowering andraising of said containers for rotating said shafts whereby the rotationof said shafts is utilized to produce useful work, a unidirectionalclutch means operatively associated with said rotary means whereby saidrotary means effects the drive of said respective shafts in onedirection only, and said means for sequentially charging and dischargingsaid containers comprises: a nozzle adapted to be connected to a sourceof water supply, a valve for controlling the flow of water to saidnozzle, said containers each having a discharge opening and a closuremeans for sealing said discharge opening closed, an actuating meansoperatively associated with said containers for opening said valve wheneach of said containers is in its uppermost limit, Operating meansoperatively associated with said closure means to effect the opening ofsaid discharge opening when the respective containers reaches its lowerlimit of travel, and means coordinating the operation of said activatingmeans and operating means to effect the opening of said valve to fillone container with water as the discharge opening of the othercomplementary container is opened to empty it of water, said actuatingmeans includes a light beam source, a photo cell disposed opposite saidlight beam source, said valve means including a solenoid for effectingthe operation thereof, and a relay connected in circuit with saidsolenoid and photo cell whereby said photo cell causes said relay toenergize said solenoid when said light beam is cut-off.
 6. The inventionas defined in claim 5 wherein said operating means includes a secondlight beam disposed at an angle to said first light beam,a second photocell disposed opposite to said second light beam, a solenoid operativelyconnected to said container closure means, and a second relay connectedin circuit with said closure means solenoid and said second photo cellso that said second relay is activated to energize said closure meanssolenoid when said second light beam is cut-off.
 7. The invention asdefined in claim 6 wherein said coordinating means includes:a bificatedcoordinator associated with each container, a float connected in saidcoordinator whereby said coordinator rises as said container is beingfilled, and means for effecting rotation of said coordinator whereby thelight beam to photo cell controlling the valve relay is interrupted inthe lower position of said float and whereby the second light beam tothe second photo cell controlling the closure solenoid is cut-off in theraised position of said float.
 8. A system for harnessing the power ofmoving liquid for producing useful work comprising:a pair of spacedapart shafts, rotary means journalled to each of said shafts to effectthe drive thereof, a flexible drive threaded about said rotary means, aplurality of containers connected to said flexible drive, and means forsequentially charging and discharging said containers with a liquidwhereby the weight of said liquid is utilized to effect the lowering andraising of said containers for rotating said shafts whereby the rotationof said shafts is utilized to produce useful work, and including meansfor controlling the speed of said system, said control means comprising:a piston pump having a cylinder and piston moveably mounted therein, ameans for driving said piston pump operatively connected to said one ofsaid shafts, a liquid reservoir, an inlet conduit connecting saidreservoir with said cylinder whereby liquid is drawn into said cylinderas said piston is retracted within said cylinder, and an exhaust conduitinterconnecting said cylinder with said reservoir whereby the liquiddrawn into said cylinder is discharged therefrom on the compressionstroke of said piston, and a regulating valve disposed in said exhaustconduit to control the liquid flow therethrough.
 9. The invention asdefined in claim 8 wherein a check valve is disposed in each of saidinlet and exhaust conduits.
 10. A system for harnessing the power ofmoving water for producing useful work comprising:a pair of spaced apartdrive shafts, a plurality of rotary means journalled to each of saidshafts at spaced intervals therealong to effect the drive thereof, therotary means on one shaft having opposite complementary rotary means onsaid other shaft, an unidirectional clutch means operatively connectingeach said rotary means to its respective shaft whereby said rotary meanseffects the drive of said respective shaft in one direction only,whereby one of said drive shafts is rotated in one direction and theother drive shaft rotated in the opposite direction, a flexible drivethreaded over said complementary pairs of rotary means on saidrespective shafts, a container connected to a respective opposed ends ofsaid flexible drive whereby said respective container is alternatelyraised and lowered, and charging means for alternately charging each ofsaid respective containers with water whereby the weight of said watercauses said water filled container to fall, each of said containershaving a discharge means, and means operatively associated with saiddischarge means to effect the opening thereof to discharge the watertherefrom when said charged container has reached its lowest point oftravel, said charging means being rendered operative to respectivelycharge the respective containers when said container reaches itsuppermost raised position, and means for actuating said charging meanswhen said respective containers reaches its uppermost raised position.11. The invention as defined in claim 10 wherein the alternately chargedcontainers spaced along each of said drive shafts are cascadingdownwardly in a predetermined timed sequence as the alternate oppositeempty containers are rising in a similar timed sequence.
 12. Theinvention as defined in claim 10 wherein said charging means comprises:aconduit which is angled downwardly in a body of flowing water, a standpipe connected to the discharge end of said conduit, said stand pipehaving its outlet disposed at an elevation below that of the inlet tosaid conduit, a distributing manifold connected to the outlet of saidstand pipe, said distributing manifold having a plurality of nozzlespaced along the length thereof, said nozzles being disposed adjacentsaid containers where said containers are at their uppermost positionwhereby said nozzles discharge water to fill the respective containerswhen actuated.
 13. The invention as defined in claim 12 and including avalve means associated with each of said nozzles for controlling theoperation thereof.
 14. The invention as defined in claim 13 andincluding a gear connected to each of said drive shafts,said gears beingconnected into meshing relationship to insure that said shafts turn atthe same rate of speed.
 15. A system for harnessing the power of flowingwater in a body of water to produce useful work comprising:a conduitsubmerged to said body of water, said conduit having an inlet andoutlet, said outlet being disposed at an elevation below that of saidinlet at a point downstreamwise therefrom, a stand pipe connected to theoutlet of said conduit, said stand pipe having a discharge and disposedat an elevation below said inlet and above said outlet of said conduit,a distributing manifold connected to the discharge end of said standpipe, nozzle means connected to said distributing manifold, valve meansfor controlling the opening and closing of said nozzle means, a pair ofoppositely disposed drive shafts, a plurality of rotary means journalledon each of said drive shafts at spaced intervals therealong foreffecting the drive thereof, an unidirectional clutch means operativelyconnecting each of said rotary means to its respective drive shaft toeffect the drive of said respective shafts in one direction only, aflexible drive threaded over complementary rotary means of saidrespective drive shafts, a container connected to opposed ends of eachof said flexible drives, each of said containers having a dischargeopening, and means for closing said discharge opening, said containersbeing adapted to alternately rise and fall between an upper and lowerlimit of travel, and actuating means operatively associated with each ofsaid containers to effect the operation of said valve means for chargingthe container with water when said container is at its uppermost limit,and operating means operatively associated with said container foreffecting the discharge of water from said container when said containeris at its lowermost limit of travel.
 16. A method of utilizing the powerof flowing water as for example, in a river to produce useful workcomprising the steps of:inclining a submerged conduit in said river sothat the outlet of said conduit is disposed at a lower elevation thanthe inlet thereof, whereby the discharge end is downstreamwise of saidinlet end, raising the water flowing through said discharge end by meansof a connected stand pipe to an elevation below that of the inlet,distributing the raised water to connected counterbalanced containerswhich are threaded about a drive shaft whereby the containers arealternately filled and emptied to effect alternating rising and fallingof said containers for driving said drive shaft.